The Not So Wild, Wild West (PDF) An examination of the myth of rampant violence in the "old west" and the reality of the various systems of order which developed in this anarchic environment.
I have questions about what a " voluntary society " is. Can someone outline the high points for me?
A voluntary society is:
a.) One in which the focus and emphasis is on asking: Is it voluntary?
(a question aided by also asking of any association: Is it mutually beneficial? --and how does one know?)
b.1) One in which it is held unacceptable to initiate aggression, especially to initiate force against another. In other words, all actions must be voluntarily chosen by the participants.
b.2) This does not necessarily exclude responsive force against aggressive force initiated by another. (pacifism is a personal option, not an inherent part of a voluntary society)
c.) One in which there is commitment to peaceful conflict reduction and resolution, in contrast with the emotional temptation of resorting to escalating aggression and violence.
Key word meanings:
voluntary: the opposite of involuntary; free; without compulsion; according to the will, consent, or agreement, of the parties
initiate: to introduce by a first act; to make a beginning with; to originate; to commence; to begin or enter upon.
aggress (aggression): opposed to defense; to commit the act of hostility or offense; to begin a quarrel or controversy; to fall upon with force; to assail, as with force and arms; to assault; to begin to affect; to begin to act upon, injuriously or destructively; to invade
force: power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power; violence; coercion.
anarchy:
absence of any form of political authority; a society without a publicly or politically enforced Government; opposite of the superstitious belief in Authority
a.) One in which the focus and emphasis is on asking: Is it voluntary?
(a question aided by also asking of any association: Is it mutually beneficial? --and how does one know?)
b.1) One in which it is held unacceptable to initiate aggression, especially to initiate force against another. In other words, all actions must be voluntarily chosen by the participants.
b.2) This does not necessarily exclude responsive force against aggressive force initiated by another. (pacifism is a personal option, not an inherent part of a voluntary society)
c.) One in which there is commitment to peaceful conflict reduction and resolution, in contrast with the emotional temptation of resorting to escalating aggression and violence.
Key word meanings:
anarchy: